Special thanks to La Rose Enchainee for reviewing! This is why I keep writing and updating!

Disclaimer: I don't own Axis Powers: Hetalia. It rightfully belongs to Himaruya Hidekaz. I merely own the AU plot and setting. Additionally, I'm not an expert on teaching and blindness. All information comes from observation and speculation. Please do not reference.

Enjoy!

Nihilism

"Some men see things as they are and ask why.
Others dream things that never were and ask why not."
—George Bernard Shaw

Aida passed Arthur's inspection. It definitely wasn't as ideal as Shakespeare, but Arthur knew that Francis was adamant against Shakespeare because the plays were too large for life. So, with help with Francis, Arthur put the play up.

Advertisement must have been relatively effective, or students had interest in the musical. A good portion of the student body tried out for parts, and Arthur was happy that he wouldn't need to double-up parts as he did the year before. Unfortunately, too little people wanted to play the music, so they needed to find recordings for the actors and actresses to sing along to. But other than the small hiccup, the musical was progressing smoothly.

Except for the amateur skill. Somehow, Francis was the least satisfied out of both of them.

"Put some more passion into your words," Francis told the two leads. "Don't let monotony bring you down. This is a love story! You need to be passionate! Think sex—"

Arthur slapped his hand on Francis' mouth. "What the hell are you saying? This is a high school! There will be no sex involved!" He looked back at the pair of leads, who were giving each other mutual frowns. "Ignore Mr. Bonnefoy. He's just being crude."

Francis pulled the hand away from his face. "I'm not being crude!" he exclaimed, offended. "I'm just giving them advice! Something to envision! To get some emotion into their voices! All I hear is bland… meh…" His face twisted and he stuck out his tongue. "The two of you are dying in a coffin together. This is when everything should be sad and romantic! Tug on some heart strings. The concept is tragic already, but what truly brings that out is your voices. That's what acting is!"

The female lead, a snarky one, folded her arms over her chest, leaning on one leg. "And how would we do that, Mr. Bonnefoy?"

"Let me show you." Francis turned towards Arthur, still holding onto Arthur's hand, and leaned his cane against the wall behind him. "One moment please." He took off his sunglasses, folded them, and tucked them into his shirt pocket. His eyes rose along with the hand holding Arthur's. Then with a whispered, silky voice, he spoke. "I'm right here with you. There is another world waiting for us. I can feel it. The way I always knew there was a world beyond every bend of the Nile. Just waiting to be discovered."

Arthur was shocked. Scars littered the whole area around Francis' eyes. Jagged, pale lines coursed from the eyes, cutting through tanner skin and his thin eyebrows. It was like something had exploded in the centre of his nose, sending shrapnel in two directions. Unseeing eyes seemed to stare into Arthur's own. Once blue, they were milky white with splotches and tinges of red. Blood and scars. Arthur's other hand hovered millimetres away from Francis' opened eyes. Francis didn't move, even though it appeared like Arthur was going to poke the eye out. As Arthur stared, the feeling of glass cutting his face made his eyes water.

"You will find me in that world?"

"If I have to search for a hundred life times, I will find you again."

"Gay!"

Suddenly, the image of the scars disappeared. Faces swirled around him. The taste of dirt, grass and tears stung his tongue. Catcalls and laughter echoed around him. A back was turned, and a pitying, apologetic smile peered over the shoulder. Somebody patted his shoulder and apologised. "I'm so sorry," a small voice whispered, over and over again. Then the apologies faded away. Chants surrounded him, each in a different voice he couldn't identify, like cultists hissing curses into his ears.

"Gay!"

"Gay!"

Gay.

Arthur shoved Francis away. "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" he sneered.

Francis frantically put his sunglasses back on. "I was trying to demonstrate."

"Who gave you permission to go touchy-feely? You unprofessional, little wanker!"

"But you seemed cooperative. You even said the next line!"

"I don't care! You had no right to use me for your cheesy drama demonstration!"

"But, Arthur—"

Arthur groaned, rubbing his fingers against his wrinkled forehead. "I need a break. I'm going to get a drink. I'll be back." He turned and marched out of the audition room.

Francis reached for his cane, but it clattered to the ground. He felt the ground, searching for it. "Wait, Arthur!"

But Arthur already slammed the door behind him.